NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS MINUTES Monday, February 2, 2026

Mayor Tyrel Owens called this regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Council members John Butts, Daren Downs, Chris Kenney, Ann McColley, Don Steveson and Thomas Voss. Also, present were Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff, Engineer Steven Dietrich, Police Chief Derek Thompson, Attorney Dublin Hughes and Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Chris Kenney moved; Ann McColley seconded, to approve the agenda. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Ann McColley moved; Don Steveson seconded, to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of Tuesday, January 20, 2026. MOTION CARRIED.

NOMINATION FOR RECOGNITION: Weston County Natural Resource District for the Story Walk, and Debra Lake for work with Hoover’s Peace. 

CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION: Black Hills Energy and Powder River Energy for their quick response to the recent blackout. News Letter Journal for providing Newcastle with a local newspaper and their “dust off the Dogies” campaign.

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS VERBAL: None

CITIZEN’S BUSINESS IN WRITING: None

OLD BUSINESS: 

• Mayor Owens requested to approach the County Commissioners and request to add the Penny Tax to the ballot. Thomas Voss moved; Ann McColley seconded to ask County Commissioners to add the 6th Penny Specific Purpose Tax and the Economic Development Tax onto the ballot. Discussion was had about property taxes, EMS district, and the purpose of the taxes. MOTION CARRIED.

NEW BUSINESS: Mayor Owens read a proclamation proclaiming 2026 as Year of the Veteran. Don Steveson moved; Chris Kenney seconded to approve the proclamation. MOTION CARRIED. 

COMMITTEE/COUNCIL MEMBER REPORTS: 

• Mayor Owens referenced the open Building Inspector position stating that after department head meetings and inquiries about investments and the current budget, it might be best to fill the position in hopes that the current budget would cover the cost of the position. Thomas Voss moved; John Butts seconded to advertise for the Building Inspector position. Discussion was had regarding full-time, budget, training, cost-sharing with Upton. Thomas Voss withdrew his motion. John Butts moved; Chris Kenney seconded, to table the discussion till next meeting. MOTION CARRIED. Thomas Voss was opposed.  

• Mayor Owens referred to a resumé for the RCAC Community Coordinator. The Personnel Committee will interview the applicant. He also stated that he needs to sign a document for the RCAC economic development study. 

• Mayor Owens reported on a meeting with Senator Steinmetz where there had been discussion about the City’s funding, programs and educating the public about how property tax funds are used. 

• Mayor Owens reported on the Town Hall meeting with Senator Steinmetz and Representative Chip Neiman where he had voices support for the Wyoming Business Council, lack of funding for roads, and consensus grants. 

• Mayor Owens had talked with Representative Chip Neiman about Black Hills Energy’s infrastructure during the Town Hall meeting; the current infrastructure does not allow for new gas taps. Mr. Neiman had notified Mayor Owens that he had talked with a representative from Black Hills Energy who stated that there are plans to update their infrastructure in Newcastle.

• Mayor Owens reported that a steering committee meeting for the Boys & Girls Club had met to discuss facilities that are currently on the market and grant funding. 

• Mayor Owens stated that he is looking for training on governmental investments for the Finance Committee.

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS:

• Attorney Hughes notified the Council about an email from Volunteers of America regarding a chain of title for property that the City had deeded to the Volunteers of America. 

• Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty referenced the $200.00 per month proposal from Sagebrush Marketing for the website and ADA compliance.  Don Steveson moved; Thomas Voss seconded to approve the proposal. Discussion was had regarding bid advertisement. MOTION CARRIED. She then reminded the Council that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 17th with the Audit presentation at 6:00 p.m.

• In Public Works Supervisor Greg Stumpff’s referenced a $17,462.91 quote to replace the large slide at Centennial Park that had been vandalized. There was discussion about cost, insurance and other options. 

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Thomas Voss moved; Chris Kenney seconded to replace the slide. Discussion was had regarding the age of the slide, UV lighting and vandalism. A quote from LinkTech for a camera system in the Council Chambers was referenced. Chris Kenney moved; Don Steveson seconded to approve the quote from LinkTech. Discussion was had regarding purpose of the system and the cost of $3,822.41. MOTION CARRIED. A quote of $23,466.07 for the fixture replacement due to vandalism at Centennial Park and the Sports Complex was looked at; possibility of turning into insurance will be investigated further; there was also discussion about locking the restrooms after park hours; a Parks Committee meeting will be scheduled to discuss further. Supervisor Stumpff reported that Carr Fencing had provided a quote for the Backyard Park fence in the amount of $27,562.50. Thomas Voss moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve the quote from Carr Fencing. MOTION CARRIED. He then reported that rollers had been located at TranSource in Casper, he plans to look at one on his way back from Cheyenne. The Chlorination System pre bid meeting is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. tomorrow, bid opening scheduled for February 17, 2026, with recommendations for the March 2, 2026, Council Meeting. The following was also discussed: Hanging the banner for Backyard Park will be coordinated with the Bent Sprockets; the skate rink has been open and is being utilized. 

• Engineer Steven Dietrich referenced his report, six (6) active residential construction projects; one (1) new building, the Dollar General was given a certificate of occupancy on January 22, 2026. Total construction cost of $10,000, and $428 in permit fees were collected between January 20th – February 1st.

• Police Chief Derek Thompson reported on calls of service between January 16th – January 30th, NPD 172 with 7 arrests and 20 criminal citations, WCSO 81, UPD 104, NVFD 2, WCFP 18, UVFD 1, Newcastle Ambulance 18, Upton Ambulance 13, he provided a handout for the breakdown of NPD calls. He then stated that during a Police Committee meeting there had been discussion about mobile speed radar/Variable Message Signs. The radar only sign would be approximately $7,000 and the radar with variable message sign would be approximately $24,000. The Police Committee recommended purchasing the dual-purpose sign. Thomas Voss moved; Ann McColley seconded to approve this recommendation. There was discussion regarding number of signs, WyDOT speed study and reports. MOTION CARRIED.

The jake-brake signs should be put up this week. 

CLAIMS AGAINST THE CITY: After Councilman Kenney recused himself, Thomas Voss moved; Don Steveson seconded to pay the claims against the City dated February 2, 2026. MOTION CARRIED.

ADJOURNMENT: Daren Downs moved; Don Steveson seconded, to adjourn the regular meeting of the Newcastle City Council at 8:41 p.m. Meeting adjourned. 

Claims: 21 Electric, services, $4,484.64; Ad-Pro, supplies, $26.34; Advanced Drug Testing, services, $62.40; Big Horn Tires, tires, $1,360.84; Black Hills Energy, services, $13,844.79; Bomgaars, supplies, $551.35; Campbell Co. EMS, services, $9,056.25; City of Newcastle, wa/sw/ga, $487.89; Core & Main, analytic fees/credit, $10,642.72; Douglas Dumbrill, municipal judge/mileage, $1,091.00; DXP Enterprises, repair, $95.00; Energy Labs, analysis, $152.00; Engineering Associates, services, $2,967.50; Farnsworth, services, $3,130.37; Ferguson Waterworks, parts, $310.00; First Northern Bank, lease payments, $26,003.35; Mike Franklin, deposit refund, $91.87; Hughes Law, attorney fees, $4,500.00; Marco, plotter/IT, $3,744.20; Mastercard, supplies/training, $2,901.08; Dale & Bev Mattox, deposit refund, $66.73; National Volunteer Fire Council, memberships, $888.00; Newcastle Ace Hardware, supplies, $694.45; Norco, supplies, $248.74; Northwest Pipe, supplies, $9,282.46; Petty Cash, CDL reimbursements/title fees, $185.00; Postmaster, bulk mailings, $2,500.00; Servall, services, $52.07; Bryand Streeter, airport wages, $1,333.33; Don Taylor, deposit refund, $20.96; Titan Machinery, supplies, $625.00; Traffic Signal Controls, supplies, $108.25; USA Bluebook, supplies, $822.99; Verizon, PW phones, $895.63; Becky Vodopich, cleaning, $300.00; Voelker’s, repairs, $1,678.95; Volunteers of America, 1st & 2nd qtr. distributions, $5,000.00; Western Peaks Logistics, services, $17.91; Wy. DOT, plate transfer, $2.00; Wy. Water Quality & Pollution Control Assoc., membership, $60.00.

ATTEST:

Mayor Tyrel Owens

Clerk/Treasurer Stacy Haggerty

(Publish February 12, 2026)